There is a secret I must share….I have been trying to learn to knit for more than 20 years. Yes, FT is a failed knitter. Now, a basic stitch (is it called a stitch when knitting?) I can do, a very basic in, over, under, out and in 2008 I even learned how to cast on – that alone took more than 10 yrs of trying! But, well, I’m concerned. You see when I make a mistake – which I inevitably do, you know drop a stitch or accidentally make two stitches from one etc, well then I can’t fix the mistake. This means that every approx 5 rows I get a gaping hole. A hole that my eyes fixate on. A hole that means I have to pull the whole thing out and start again. And again. And again!
Some of you might be thinking “why doesn’t she get a book, or ask her mother”. Well I’ll tell you why. The books I need are the books for children, seriously I have regressed to age 5. That is fine and dandy until the 5 year old is ready to learn to knit with 3 or 4 needles and I’m still a struggling with 2. Regarding the mother…well every time I ask she pretty much tells me it is a useless pursuit, that I will simply never learn so I should give up trying. And she is probably right, but you see I have a plan and this downshifting, frugal gal who wants to make things and birth things feels that knitting is a part of her plan. So, in 2009 I decided this was going to be my year and I got my needles and my wool out and I found a site through a site about a mum teaching her 4 year old and I thought that this might just be where I’ve been going wrong, I’ve been comparing myself to a 5 year old and actually my learning how to knit skills are more akin to a 4 year olds. I was refreshed, I was renewed and I was hopeful. Only now that dang sweet 4 year old has learned to knit, she is in fact using 3 needles and I’m still staring at gaping holes and shedding a tear, or two. So should I be worried, seriously?
Hmm…looking at the title, I have some other bits of me I wonder if I should be seriously worried about, like the fact right now I’d like to work 1 afternoon a week in a tea room, 1 morning a week as a swimming instructor, 1 day a week in a library and 1 day a week as a train driver and I also want to write and take photgraphs 24/7!
And before I leave to go and ponder whether I need serious help (btw if you think I do, please don’t tell me!) I want to say a shout out to the wonderful Sharon at Finding Simplicity. She is saying good-bye to her blog and we will all miss it. Peace Out Sharon, Peace Out!
Finally. I know the part about being like a 4 vs 5 year old learn to knit kid has a major run on sentence, or two, but you see learning to knit brings out the emotional in me. Oh, the hormones!
Oooh I wish I were near you I would love to teach you to knit! I only do simple stuff but loved teaching my Spanish friend …. although I discovered that she is left-handed. This is the reason my Mum didn’t teach me to knit (she is left handed too)
You WILL do it… k1 p1 k1 p1
xxxx
lol Sandie I so wish we lived closer too…I’d adopt you as an auntie :0)
um, so if we really think you should be worried then you dont want us to tell you??? Only teasing!
My husband is a happy swimming teacher. I would recommend it. He is happier at work than on days off! plus we get pile of choccies and biscuits at Christmas! Its win win.
I miss Sharon too
lol no Lizzie don’t tell me!! lol
Hmm….I wonder what qualifications you need to be a swimming instructor. I’d quite happily teach the little ones. May have to look into this!
can’t help you – I was seriously crap at knitting too. I did manage to do crochet though. and sew. perhaps they might be your thing?
but on another note, I met a totally lovely lady at a craft fair who teaches knitting, one on one, on saturdays. She is based in Islington or Stoke Newington or thereabouts and I could find her email / web address if you like. Not sure what she charges, but it could be a great way to get started.
frugal trenches, you are relentlessly adorable.
i wonder what happened? sounds like someone was bothering her or something. left a message, i will miss it, it was a good read 
lovely place, finding simplicity.
i’m here, i’m reading, it’s just harder to comment from a feed reader is all! i wanted to let you know that I have tried to learn to sew and knit on multiple occasions. i can only knit (basic stitch) when my nana is around to undo my copious mistakes, and whatever i produce looks a mite tetchy even then. thanks for the heads up re. sharon j’s blog, that’s so sad
OK. so that’s what i wanted to tell you. maybe it will just take a little more time. oooh, being a swimming instructor is great ! you need a course that is taught by the red cross.
Moyra – so pleased to hear that I’m not the only one! I would love to learn to crochet and sew (don’t tell anyone but right now I can’t even manage a button – sshh!)
Oh yes please. I’m not in London at the weekends, but she may do other days/evenings or know someone else!
Oh neiman, I am soooo pleased I am not alone. Maybe we all have a disorder.
SIKS – Seriously Incompetent Knitter Syndrome
I am going to be looking into it. I did rather well at swimming, in the day.
Well FT this was me about 2 years ago … didn’t know how to cast on/off and couldn’t knit without big holes appearing LOL. Now I’m not saying I’m a fabulous knitter but I can do the basics. I took a ‘learn to knit’ class and it was just wonderful. I still have problems with ‘pearl’ stitch but I can knit pretty darn good now. Oh and another little cost saving tip for when you master it (cause I know you will) … is that last Christmas EVERYONE on my list got a scarf from me. I chose wool that was bulky and multi-colored and then if I did make any little mistakes no one could notice. Very thrifty gift too … could knit a scarf for about $6/3 quid. Look for a class I say as it’s hard to visualise through a book!!!!! Good luck.
http://www.knittinghelp.com
She is heaven-sent for us “I need a book for a 5 year old” types.
Amanda, you have given me the greatest gift of all…..hope!
Thank you!
AY thanks!!
FT, you CAN do it. Really. You just need to find the right resource, one that shows you how to deal with dropped stitches etc.
If I were closer to you I’d come and stay for the weekend and by the time you left I can guarantee you’d be at least making dishclothes. And if it’s any consolation, my gran told me that I’d never learn to knit or crochet because I just didn’t have the patience – the only reason I was so determined to learn was to prove her wrong and 30 years later I’m still clicking away
I teach knitting and I have to tell you that reading the kids knitting books are very helpful for ANYONE of ANY AGE! LOL You should go to http://www.knittinghelp.com. She has really great videos on everything knitting related….even fixing mistakes. Check it out. You can do it!
~Corinne
I’ve never attempted to knit! But I can do only the most basic crochet stitches. I prefer embroidery to pretty things up.
Try and loosen up your hands when knitting – dont clench them. The holes are dropped stitches and they are quite easy to pick up with a crochet hook. Join a knitting group at your local yarn shop and maybe check out the books by Elizabeth Zimmermann. So wonderful. I was hopeless for years and then I made a wonderful friend who was an expert knitter and who helped me break free from my chains. I knit everything now, socks mittens sweaters, baby clothes.
Good luck
I’m confident by the end (or even middle of) 2009 you’ll know how to knit
I know how to knit but I’ve yet to start a project like I was supposed to…. your post reminded me I need to get started on it!!
Good luck!
Don’t give up! It’s really worth it if you can figure out what block is holding you back. And if you find a hole, you don’t always have to rip out your work… sometimes you can fix it with a crochet hook (as long as you don’t knit crazy tight).
Speaking of crochet hooks… have you tried that? Maybe knitting’s not your thing because you were meant to crochet?
Love the knitting! So many people out there have blog sites exclusively to knitting. There is TONS of help out there. I heart knitting!
I learned to knit on December 7th last year and I’m well away:) I’ve been trying for years but to no avail and finally it clicked. I used a web site called cyberseams.com and it is so simple to follow that I picked it up in a few minutes.
The videos are very very clear and I think you might enjoy it. Just don’t listen to the really annoying music:)
I learnt to knit this time last year by joining a knitting group so there is always someone to ask when I get stuck or go wrong. See if there is one in your area, quickly tho before you head off to the island!
You need Stitch & Bitch by Debbie Stoller. It sounds a bit angry but it’s not, it’s actually delightful and it is basically How To Knit For Dummies – you’ll be knitting gorgeous little hats and things in no time. If you can wait a couple of months I can lend it to you when I’m back in London again (somehow I doubt I’ll have time for it this year).
Alternatively, there is a knitting shop in Vauxhall, I forget the name of it but I wandered in there a couple of years ago and must have looked alarmed and overwhelmed because the lovely owner (Gerard, I think his name was) sat me down and taught me the basics in 20 minutes – free of charge. He was lovely, and the shop was adorable. They also do weekly knit meets which you could even go to as a beginner (I never made it though)
All packed now!
xx
I can knit OK (nothing too big, fancy, or on any more than two needles!!) but I have never got my head around crochet. I just don’t get it. I’ve tried many many times but it just eludes me – as do putting in zips. I think some things just elude some of us and we have to accept our limitations. I just wish I was as good at managing my money as you are – you really have a marvellous skill for that.
Others have got there before me with the knittinghelp website- the videos are excellent.
I also still keep the Debbie Stoller book on hand as back up. My gran had tried to teach me several times over the years- but this book and website combo is what finally worked for me.
Good luck!
I can double the amount of stitches in three rows! I am seriously the greatest!
Yup, the knittinghelp videos are great. The next best thing to having a real live knitter friend to ask!
As for dropped stitches, you can pick them back up with a crochet hook. There’s a “Fixing mistakes” section on knittinghelp.com which should help you out.
I also like Knitting for Dummies, but sometimes you really have to WATCH something being done.
I learned to knit all by myself out of the Stitch ‘n’ Bitch book – it was perfect for me! Simple pictures & explanations, and I could sit and puzzle over it by myself without any pressure. A year later, I am a very good knitter, if I do say so myself! (anyone else here on Ravelry?)
If you’re adding stitches and seeing gaps, I bet you’re accidentally pulling the yarn over the needle in between stitches. It’s important to keep it all on one side of the needle if you’re doing just one type of stitch. Also, I found that when I start a new row, if the stitch I’m starting into is twisted, I accidentally knit into it twice. Give the working fabric a nice tug downward before you start the new row.
If you’re accidentally losing stitches, then you’re likely dropping them, and I think the only fix for that is close attention. I learned to knit using medium weight yarn and biggish needles (size 10 US), which made it pretty easy to see what I was doing. I made a very random experimental scarf that I’m still quite proud of.
Obviously I’m a bit of an enthusiast for knitting
You could go to a Stitch and Bitch knitting group – there’s one in London which meets on week day evenings at various places – and they’re happy to have newbies. I keep meaning to go but haven’t got round to it yet. Meeting reports sound delightful though.
You can do it! i have knitted for years but gave up when my kids got older – I am back into it again but had lost all confidence – I joined a knitting group – there are loads of them around just ask at your library or local wool shop – and it was just brilliant – lots of friends to encourage and support you – and to find the lost stitch if you get stuck Also go on the ravelry website – it has such good tips for people like you and me. Enjoy it, you will literally be hooked!!